Transfering College Credits
If there’s one question that almost all online learning students have, it has to do with transferring college credits. When you go to school online, it can be a bit frightening to think that if you do want to switch schools in the future, transferring your college credits could be tricky, if not impossible.
So, how do you know if your credits will transfer? Well, it’s hard to give a definitive answer because every school has a different policy. However, a few hard and fast rules exist.
First of all, it’s vital that you go to an accredited university. We can’t stress how important this is! Most universities will not accept credits from another school that isn’t accredited, so your first step before enrolling is to check out your school completely. And, don’t just take their word for it as there are just as many “phony” accrediting agencies out there.
If a school claims to be accredited, then look up the agency they’re accredited by. Make sure it’s a real agency and not just a fancy name. A good source to use is the U.S. Department of Education; they don’t accredit schools themselves, but they do list all the “real” accrediting agencies.
You can also do research through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CHEA has a searchable database of over 7,000 legitimate online learning institutions. If your school isn’t on here, that’s a major red flag.
Another way to make sure that you’ll be able to transfer your college credits is to look at what you want to do. If you’re just starting out with your education, then transferring credits up to your associate’s degree will be fairly easy. If, however, you’re doing upper-level coursework for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, then keep in mind that many universities will not accept higher-level classes from other universities.
To combat this, spend plenty of time researching your schools. If you go to one university for a semester or two and then find one that seems a better fit, then you stand a good chance of losing those classes in the transfer shuffle. So, if you’re doing upper level coursework try to find the best fit so you don’t have to transfer.
It’s also helpful to talk to one of the advisors at the school you’re interested in attending. Tell them what classes you’re interested in taking. Oftentimes, they can tell you if those courses will transfer. It’s also important to know that many schools will give you college credit for professional development courses. For instance, if you’ve attended corporate training classes or seminars, these skills can sometimes translate into a class that you don’t have to take for your degree. Be mindful, however, “Life Skills” are harder to transfer to different institutions. So try to apply them to the final school you’ll be attending to get your degree.
So, what’s the skinny on transferring college credits? Well, it doesn’t have to be as frustrating as most people make it out to be. By doing plenty of research and knowing what you want to do from the beginning you can save yourself a lot of headache later on.
Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs
Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.
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With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » |
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The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » |
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With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » |
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One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » |
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The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » |
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Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » |
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DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » |
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Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » |
